AP PhotoManny Pacquiao celebrates his victory over Miguel Cotto on Saturday night at MGM Grand.LAS VEGAS -- Manny Pacquiao's welterweight title victory came with some political asterisk, since Miguel Cotto was not recognized as the legitimate 147-pound champion, nor is the World Boxing Organization title the most cherished in the sport.

Still, Pacquiao carved out a unique spot in boxing history by winning a title in a seventh different weight class, a feat he greeted with typical humility.

"If I think of what I have achieved in boxing, even to me, it's unbelievable. I can't believe it," Pacquiao said. "But nothing is impossible if you believe in God."

Others offered the praise for him.

Bob Arum, Pacquiao's promoter, called him "the best fighter I've ever seen," a high compliment from a man who also promoted Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard -- and Floyd Mayweather.

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, called his man "the greatest fighter of his era, that's for sure."

That title is subject to the one fight all of boxing wants to see: Pacquiao vs. Grand Rapids native Mayweather.

"Obviously, everybody wants Mayweather-Pacquiao but we'll see what's the best deal out there that we possibly can negotiate for Manny. But personally, I want Mayweather," Roach said. "We break him down and beat him up. The think is, he's a fragile guy. We have the speed and the power to deal with him."

Pacquiao certainly had the speed and power to deal with Cotto, whom he defeated on a 12th-round technical knockout.

Referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight 55 seconds into the final round.

Pacquiao went to the post-fight press conference with a large bandage around his head to protect a right ear which he had drained to protect against the condition commonly called cauliflower ear, before moving on to Mandalay Bay to sing eight songs in a prearranged victory concert.

That was better than Cotto managed. The Puerto Rican was ordered by physicians to skip the press conference and go to University Medical Center here for a full body scan.